Straw Retention Device

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a straw retaining device. The straw retaining device includes a straw. The straw is formed with a rounded straw support tab. The rounded straw support tab includes a plurality of wings extended downward and away from the straw. In an embodiment, the plurality of wings are attached to the outside of a cup or straw. In another embodiment, the plurality of wings are formed to the outside of the cup or straw.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for drinking. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for retaining a drinking straw.

BACKGROUND

Drinking cups are often packaged, or otherwise used, with a straw. In certain instances, a user may desire to utilize a straw for ease of use. In certain other scenarios, use of a straw may be practical. For example, when utilizing a cup in motion, such as while walking or driving a vehicle, use of a straw may prevent spillage.

Thus, use of a straw may be desirable to prevent spillage. In other scenarios, the use of a straw may be desired due to the user's habits or limitations. For example, toddlers may not be fully capable of drinking out of the rim of the cup, and may be prone to spilling. Use of a drinking may therefore provide an easier-to-grip surface and device for removing fluid from the cup, and moving it into a toddler's mouth.

In these and other scenarios, the use of a straw may also reduce the risk of harm or injury. For example, in order to prevent spills, an individual drinking straight out of a cup, without a straw, may be required to look down at the cup, thereby distracting them. If this occurs while driving, or in the middle of another activity, the distraction may be dangerous. Thus, use of a straw with a drinking cup may present advantages in terms of comfort and safety, and prevent spillage and safety issues.

Such straws are often inserted into lids or other openings at the top of a cup or bottle. However, these openings are not formed to, and are not capable of, fully securing the straw in place. As a result, the straw is often moveable relative to the cup. In certain scenarios, the straw may be moved horizontally relative to the cup, which leaves a space on the side of the straw, between the straw and the opening of the lid. This allows liquid to seep out at the side of the straw. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a straw that is retained and/or secured in place relative to the lid opening. It would be further desirable to provide a lid opening that is hermetically sealed around the straw.

In certain instances, the straw may be moveable vertically, such that movement of the cup or straw causes the straw to loosen and/or fall out of the cup. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a straw support that vertically stabilizes the straw within a cup or bottle. It would be further desirable to provide a straw that is retained within the cup, while preventing spillage or leakage. It would be yet further desirable to provide a straw that is stabilized at a preset angle relative to a cup or straw, such that it cannot rotate to other angles.

It would be yet further desirable to provide a drinking straw retaining device that is formed integral with a cup or straw.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, provided herein is a straw retaining device. The straw retaining device includes a straw. The straw is formed with a rounded straw support tab. The rounded straw support tab includes a plurality of wings extended downward and away from the straw. In an embodiment, the plurality of wings are attached to the outside of a cup or straw. In another embodiment, the plurality of wings are formed to the outside of the cup or straw.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a straw retaining device that reduces or eliminates spillage or leakage.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a straw retaining device that reduces the risk of harm or injury and increases safety.

It is yet a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a straw retaining device that is integral to a cup or straw.

It is yet a further object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a straw retaining device that is easily attachable to or detachable from a cup or straw.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a straw retaining device that retains the straw in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a removable straw retaining device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates placement of the removable straw retaining device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates the extension of a wing of the straw retaining device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment, with an extending umbrella protrusion;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrates placement of the straw retaining device, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a retaining device formed integral with the straw, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the retaining device formed integral with the cup, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment, a straw retaining device or system is provided.

The device may be formed separate and apart from the straw and or cup. That is, in an embodiment, the device may be attachable and/or removable from a cup or straw.

In an embodiment, the device may be formed integral with a straw. Thus, the device may be formed of one piece with a straw, such as a reusable plastic or metal straw, or another straw of suitable material. In a further embodiment, the device may be formed integral to a cup.

The straw retaining device 101 in accordance with a first embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1. The device 101 may include a centralized straw support tab 103. Tab 103 may be formed in the center of the device 101.

Tab 103 may include an aperture or opening 105. Opening 105 may be formed to receive a straw. Opening 105 may be formed specifically to expand/stretch or contract, based on a size of the straw inserted into the opening. Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, opening 105 may be formed of an elastic material. The elastic material may provide a hole opening of a certain size, or may be specially sized to be of a circumference slightly smaller than the straw sized to be inserted through the opening 105. Therefore, in an embodiment, opening 105 may be formed to provide horizontal stabilization and/or vertical stabilization, by preventing movement of the straw relative to the side of opening 105.

Tab 103 may include one or more wings 107. In an embodiment, the device preferably includes two or more wings 107.

In an embodiment, device 101 may be disposable or in another embodiment, may be reusable. Device 101 may come prepackaged, separately from a cup or straw.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 101 may be provided in a folded position at S1000. Wings 107 may be folded over one another, with the tab 103 folded over itself to form a semi-circle.

At S1010, wings 107 may be extended outwardly, and the tab 107 unfolded. At S1020, illustrating a top-down view of tab 107, the tab 107 may be unfolded into a full circle.

At 51030, the device 101 may be placed onto a straw 109. It should be noted that the device 101 may be placed at any suitable position onto the straw. Illustrated here is the device 101 placed in the top third of the straw 109, under a ridged portion, but any other suitable location is contemplated, and may be used depending on the size of the straw and/or cup, as well as the needs of the user.

Referring back to S1020, as shown in FIG. 1, tab 103 includes an opening 105. Opening 105 is formed in the center of tab 103. In accordance with an embodiment, opening 105 may be formed with an internal seal, such as a rubber seal or disc, which may hermetically seal around the straw, and prevent spillage or leakage. The seal, such as the disc, may be formed such that it expands or contracts.

In accordance with an embodiment, wings 107 may be formed to retain the device 101 relative to a cup or straw. Wings 107 may extend downward, and in some embodiments outward, from, the tab 107.

Illustrated in FIG. 2A is an embodiment of the device with wings 107 in place to retain the device 101 relative to a cup 211. This allows and provides for retaining the straw 109 relative to both the device and cup.

As illustrated, device 101 is placed around straw 109, with the straw 109 being placed through opening 105 of tab 103. Tab 103 includes wings 107 extending downward from the device 101, and connects to cup 211 at junction 219.

Wings 107 may include piece 215, and protrusion 217.

It should be noted that FIG. 2A illustrates device 101 placed in an intermediate position. That is, device 101 is shown before being moved to its final location.

In an embodiment, the final location of the device 101 may be immediately above, and/or flush against, the lid 221 of cup 211. In another embodiment, device 101 may be integral to the lid 221.

In accordance with an embodiment, tab 103 may include underside 213. Also illustrated is underside 213 of the tab 103. Underside 213 may be formed with an adhesive, such as any suitable glue or adhesive-like product. Underside 213 may be formed with a hook and loop fastener system, such as one from VELCRO™, with one of the male or female components on the underside 213, and the complimentary male or female component on the top of lid 221.

FIG. 2B illustrates straw 109 placed within device 101, with wings 107 extending therefrom. FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment with wings 107 not in an extended position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the wings 107 may be movable from a first position to a second position. Thus wings 107 may be hinged at 215, such that wings 107 may move relative to tab 103. This allows for the device 101 to be utilized with varying cups and straws of different sizes and lengths. The wings 107 may therefore be adjusted further outward (e.g., to radiate outward at a more obtuse angle) for a wider cup, or adjusted inward for a narrower cup.

In an embodiment, wings 107 may be formed of an adhesive or sticky-like material. This allows for wings 107 to be externally mounted to, and removable from, the exterior of a cup 211. This can be illustrated referring back to FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2A, wings 107 may be removably mounted to the exterior of cup 211 at junction 219. Wings 107 may be mounted at the junction using an adhesive or tape-like feature, formed on the underside and/or topside of wings 107.

In a further embodiment, the invention may include device 423. Referring to FIG. 4, device 423 may be utilized in place of device 101.

Device 423 may be an umbrella-type device. Device 423 may incorporate an opening 424, which may be substantially identical to opening 105. That is, opening 424 may incorporate all of the features as discussed in reference to opening 105, such as an internal seal.

In accordance with this embodiment, a straw 109 may be placed through opening 424.

Device 423 may not be formed with tabs. Thus, this device may increase the ease of manufacturing, and provide for an easy to use device. In an embodiment, device 423 may include an underside with an adhesive or hook and loop component, as described in reference to underside 213, above. The adhesive may be formed to allow device 423 to be placed immediately on top of, or flush against, a lid, such as lid 221.

Device 423 may cause, via the seal formed with opening 424, the straw 109 to remain in place. Further, device 423, in being adhered to lid 221, may retain vertical and horizontal stability of the straw, relative to a cup.

FIG. 4B illustrates the device 423 placed immediately on top of a lid 221, retaining straw 109 relative to cup 211.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate another embodiment of the device 101, with straw 109 formed integral with the device 101. Thus, in accordance with this embodiment, straw 109 is physically connected to the device 101. In a further embodiment, straw 109 and device 101 may be formed of unitary construction. Thus, straw 109 and device 101 may be formed of one piece, eliminating any openings or leaks from a straw opening.

In this embodiment, FIG. 5A illustrates initial placement of device 101. As shown, in place of opening 105, device 101 is formed with seal 525. Seal 525 is a continuation of tab 103, and forms a connection between tab 103 and straw 109. In an embodiment, seal 525, tab 103 and straw 109 are all integral with one another. In an embodiment, seal 525, tab 103 and straw 109 are all formed of unitary construction.

FIG. 5B illustrates device 101 with wings 107 in a deployed position.

FIG. 5C illustrates the device 101 in an intermediate position, before placement above, or immediately flush with, the lid 221. As shown seal 525 is present in this embodiment, maintain the straw integral to the device 101. Additionally, in FIG. 5C, wings 107 may optionally be utilized to cause the straw 109 to be further retained in place. Thus, wings 107 may be adhered to cup 109 at junction 219.

FIG. 6 illustrates the device 101 in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C. Wings 107 are shown in a deployed position, and as described in reference to FIG. 3 (and present in this embodiment), the wings 107 may be movable to various positions, and may be formed with an adhesive or fastener material.

FIG. 7 illustrates the device 101, placed flush against the lid 221. As shown tab 103 is immediately against lid 221. Adhesive 213 (or fastener 213) may be used to secure the device 101 to the lid 221. This cause retaining of the device and the straw 109.

In accordance with this embodiment, the device 101 may utilize opening 105, which allows for a removable straw. The opening 105 may include a seal or other retaining feature, as discussed above. In another embodiment, the device 101 in accordance with FIG. 7 may form the straw 109 integral with tab 103, using the features as discussed in reference to FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIG. 7 further illustrates wings 107 deployed, and junctioned to the cup 211 at junction 219.

In accordance with an embodiment, the tab 103 of the device 101, may be formed with a seal. The seal may be formed to further retain the straw, and to prevent leakage or spillage, such as when the device is turned upside down.

A device for retaining a straw is therefore provided. The device of the present invention used with any suitable drinking apparatus or device, straw, or suitable variation thereof.

The device of the present invention may be formed from any material, including any suitable metal, plastic, polymer, bamboo, recycled materials, paper, fiberglass or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the device may be formed from a malleable material, such as bendable or malleable metal or plastic.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, within the spirit and scope of the foregoing description. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of as restrictive on the present invention. 

What is claimed is: 1) A straw retaining device for retaining a straw, comprising: a centralized support tab; an opening formed in a center of the centralized support tab; and a plurality of wings extending from a periphery of the centralized support tab. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wings extend downward from the support tab. 3) The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wings each comprise a distal end, the distal end joined to an outer surface of a cup. 4) The device of claim 1, wherein the centralized support tab includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including an adhesive. 5) The device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is formed to join the centralized support tab to a top of a cup. 6) The device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is formed to join the centralized support tab to a cup lid. 7) The device of claim 1, further comprising a straw placed within the opening formed in the center of the centralized support tab. 8) The device of claim 7, wherein the straw is retained in place via the centralized support tab. 9) A straw retaining system for retaining a straw, comprising: a straw retaining device, the straw retaining device comprising: a centralized support tab; an opening formed in a center of the centralized support tab; and a plurality of wings extending from a periphery of the centralized support tab; a cup; and a straw. 10) The system of claim 9, wherein the straw retaining device is formed integral with the cup. 11) The system device of claim 9, wherein the straw retaining device is formed integral with the straw. 12) The system of claim 9, wherein the opening comprises a rounded hole. 13) The system of claim 9, wherein the opening comprises a plurality of slits in a criss-crossed formation. 